In Amber | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
Studio album by | ||||
Released | June 17, 2022 | |||
Recorded | Blackbird Studios (Berlin), Vox-Ton (Berlin), Dampoort Studios (Ghent) | |||
Length | 56:30 | |||
Label | ||||
Hercules and Love Affair chronology | ||||
| ||||
Singles from In Amber | ||||
|
In Amber is the fifth studio album by Hercules and Love Affair, released digitally and physically on June 17, 2022, by Skint Records/BMG. [1] The band's founder, singer and musician, Andy Butler worked again with singer Anohni (previously of Anohni and the Johnsons): Anohni appeared on several tracks, including the singles "Poisonous Storytelling", [2] and "One". [3] "Grace", the first song released ahead of the album, was sung by Butler with Icelandic singer Elin Ey.
AllMusic wrote that In Amber, "pivoted away from upbeat, dance-oriented tracks into a more reflective style. Featuring Anohni for the first time since 2008, the record channeled emotions such as anger, fear, and sadness while retaining the pristine production that Butler has cultivated throughout his career". [4]
In Amber received critical acclaim. It was named "Album of the Year 2022" by The Arts Desk , [5] and Slant Magazine included "One" in "The 50 Best Songs of 2022" list. [6]
Anohni suggested Andy Butler that they worked songs together and they ended up composing six tracks. Butler then showed other songs he was writing and they realised that they wanted to record as a Hercules and Love Affair project. [7]
The album was conceived over a period of five years. At a certain point they "started thinking about the texture of percussion, something with humanity that might complement the content of the songs". Anohni suggested that they record with drummer Budgie of Siouxsie and the Banshees and the Creatures. Anohni stated: "It had this kind of perfection that was almost sugary. Budgie, as a drummer, completely epitomises that volatile, volcanic texture of creation, but also has a very exquisite form". "He found ways to articulate quite a feminine violence, or a feminine exuberance; a strength, a really fortified, agile, threatening at times power". [7]
Multi instrumentalist Reinhard Vanbergen joined in for the sessions and Butler asked Icelandic singer Elin Ey (complete name Elin Eyþórsdóttir) to do backing vocals on the single "Grace" and the lead on "Dissociation". [8] Anohni suggested that Butler sings more than two songs on the album. [7] It is the first time on Butler's career that he opened an album with him on vocals. [7] Butler wanted to express new things in the songs : "there are emotional fields I hadn’t ventured into previously [...] Destruction, rage, loss, but also redemption and journeying towards empowerment." Butler pictured the album as dance music with rage and existential contemplation. [9]
The album was different from previous Hercules and Love Affair works. Music journalist Dean Mayo Davies wrote that In Amber was about 'contemplating the inevitability of mortality, and trying to find peace within that fact". [7] Butler stated he needed to express his discomfort and could not make something comfortable: "making a 90’s sounding techno or house record, or an odd 80’s sounding dance track was not anything I needed to do". [10]
Journalist Martin Aston noted that there were echoes of This Mortal Coil on the record, plus thudding drums which are traces of dark post-punk, which was one of the genres Butler listened to during his "traumatised teenage years". [11]
In Amber was released June 17, 2022, on digital, CD and double black vinyl via Skint Records/BMG. The double vinyl was housed in a gatefold sleeve.
Two limited editions, one on gold double vinyl and another one on transparent grey double vinyl, were available from selected shops and webstores including Rough Trade, Hmv and the official website. [12] The 'Transparent Grey' double vinyl edition which was limited to 300 copies, was available via Rough Trade. [13]
Aggregate scores | |
---|---|
Source | Rating |
Metacritic | 77/100 [14] |
Review scores | |
Source | Rating |
AllMusic | [15] |
The Arts Desk | [16] |
The Line of Best Fit | 7/10 [17] |
Mojo | [11] |
Musikexpress | [18] |
Pitchfork | 6.7/10 [19] |
PopMatters | 8/10 [20] |
Uncut | 8/10 [21] |
The Wire | 8/10 [22] |
In Amber mostly received good reviews from music critics upon its release. At Metacritic, which assigns a weighted average rating out of 100 to reviews from mainstream critics, the album received an average score of 77, based on 13 reviews, which indicates "generally favorable reviews". [14]
The Arts Desk dubbed the record "a masterpiece of dark music for dark times". [16] Reviewer Joe Muggs wrote that the album brought "stunning results", dealing with dark subjects such as "alienation, mistrust, violent homophobia, abuse, religious terror, war" but there was also "redemption, strength and love" inside the songs. Muggs added that "the doomed and the hopeful are inseparable, and the tang of each is emphasised by the other ... and musically, the mood is just as finely balanced" before concluding "it’s a truly beautiful piece of work". [16] In a four out of 5 star review, Mojo said that Hercules and Love Affair went dark while adding that In Amber was "frequently beautiful". Reviewer Martin Aston remarked that Butler was "impressively stentorian" and he alternates with Anohni. He added that In Amber was as much Anohni's record as his. [11] In a review rated eight out of ten, Uncut praised the album saying, there is "plenty of solace to be found in performances by Iceland’s Elin Ey and the ever-remarkable Anohni". [21]
Davies of Another Magazine wrote that "The best dance or electronic music often carries a melancholy" and In Amber sees Hercules and Love Affair pushing to new territory. [7] The Quietus wrote that there is "a wealth of sophistication in the spacious arrangements" and "a richness to the timbres that play central roles in the compositions". Reviewer Zara Hedderman wrote that on "all of the songs from In Amber, this is an immediately enveloping composition which retains its power after countless listens". [23] The Line of Best Fit wrote that "the album marks a break with the past but ... its move ... feels totally natural and necessary". Music journalist Simon Heavisides praised the "spine tingling backing vocals from Icelander Elin Ey" on the single "One" and the songs featuring Anohni saying, "few singers could handle with the requisite gravity but at the same time convey the beauty within what may appear a stark lyric". [17]
Ken Scrudato wrote that the album was "a deeply reflective meditation" on troubling times, while nothing there was a "genuine optimism shining through the sonic solemnity" of the opening song "Grace". [24] In a review rated 6.7 out of ten, Pitchfork wrote: "Stripping away the dancefloor euphoria of his most recognizable work, Andy Butler’s latest is a moody left-turn highlighted by some winning collaborations with Anohni". [19] For AllMusic, Heather Phares claimed that it was, "thrilling to hear such unguarded yet exquisitely crafted confessions from Hercules & Love Affair as it was to have them transport listeners to dance floor nirvana." [15]
PopMatters included In Amber in "The Best Electronic albums of 2022" list. [25]
All tracks are written by Andy Butler, except where noted
No. | Title | Writer(s) | Featured artist | Length |
---|---|---|---|---|
1. | "Grace" | 3:56 | ||
2. | "One" |
| Anohni | 4:37 |
3. | "You've Won This War" | 5:45 | ||
4. | "Christian Prayers" |
| Anohni | 5:47 |
5. | "Dissociation" | Elin Eyþórsdóttir | 4:14 | |
6. | "Contempt for You" |
| Anohni | 5:05 |
7. | "Gates of Separation" | 5:11 | ||
8. | "Killing His Family" |
| Anohni | 3:50 |
9. | "Who Will Save Us" |
| Anohni | 4:07 |
10. | "The Eyes of the Father" | 5:16 | ||
11. | "Poisonous Storytelling" |
| Anohni | 5:20 |
12. | "Repent" | 3:18 | ||
Total length: | 56:30 |
Chart (2022) | Peak position |
---|---|
UK Dance Albums (OCC) [26] | 10 |
UK Independent Albums (OCC) [27] | 27 |
Siouxsie and the Banshees were a British rock band formed in London in 1976 by vocalist Siouxsie Sioux and bass guitarist Steven Severin. They have been widely influential, both over their contemporaries and with later acts. The Times called the group "one of the most audacious and uncompromising musical adventurers of the post-punk era".
Nocturne is a live double album and video by English rock band Siouxsie and the Banshees, released on 25 November 1983 by Polydor Records. Co-produced by Mike Hedges, Nocturne features performances recorded at two shows at the Royal Albert Hall in London, on 30 September and 1 October 1983, featuring Robert Smith on guitar.
The Creatures were an English band formed in 1981 by vocalist Siouxsie Sioux and drummer Budgie of the group Siouxsie and the Banshees. The Creatures released their first EP Wild Things in 1981. They recorded four studio albums: Feast in 1983, Boomerang in 1989, Anima Animus in 1999 and Hái! in 2003.
Peter Edward Clarke, known professionally as Budgie, is an English drummer best known for his work in Siouxsie and the Banshees. He is also the co-founder of the Creatures.
Anohni and the Johnsons is a music ensemble originally based in New York City that presents the work of English singer-songwriter Anohni and her collaborators. The band released their self-titled debut album in 2000. Their second album, 2005's I Am a Bird Now, was certified Gold in the United Kingdom, Sweden and Switzerland; it also was awarded that year's UK Mercury Prize.
Anohni Hegarty, styled as ANOHNI, is a British-born American singer, songwriter, and visual artist. She has presented solo work and as the lead singer of the band Anohni and the Johnsons, formerly known as Antony and the Johnsons.
"Insane in the Brain" is a song by American hip hop group Cypress Hill, released in June 1993 by Ruffhouse and Columbia as the first single from the group's second album, Black Sunday (1993). The song was written by group members Louis Freese, Lawrence Muggerud and Senen Reyes, and produced by Muggerud. In addition to hitting number one on the US rap chart, it also was a mainstream hit, reaching number 19 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1993. "Insane in the Brain" earned a 3× platinum certification from the Recording Industry Association of America and sold 3,000,000 copies domestically. The accompanying music video was directed by Josh Taft, featuring the group performing at a rave.
Blue Sunshine is the only studio album by the British supergroup the Glove, released in 1983 by Wonderland Records/Polydor. This album mainly served as a diversion for Robert Smith and Steven Severin when both of them were under heavy stress in their respective bands the Cure and Siouxsie and the Banshees. Since Smith was prohibited from singing in another band by his record company, he and Severin recruited Zoo dancer Jeanette Landray to sing on the majority of the tracks; Smith contractually could only sing on two songs, "Mr. Alphabet Says" and "Perfect Murder". Other musicians involved in this project were drummer Andy Anderson, multi-instrumentalist Martin McCarrick, and string players Ginny Hewes and Anne Stephenson.
Warm Leatherette is the fourth studio album by Jamaican singer and songwriter Grace Jones, released on 9 May 1980 by Island Records. The album features contributions from the reggae production duo Sly and Robbie and is a departure from Jones's earlier disco sound, moving towards a new wave-reggae direction.
"Love Is the Drug" is a song by the English rock band Roxy Music, from their fifth studio album, Siren (1975), released as a single in September 1975. Co-written by Bryan Ferry and Andy Mackay, the song originated as a slower, dreamier track until the band transformed its arrangement to become more dance-friendly and uptempo. Ferry's lyrics recount a man going out looking for action.
Hercules and Love Affair is a dance music project created by American DJ, singer, composer, musician and producer Andy Butler in 2004. Consisting of a rotating cast of performers and musicians, the band work within the genres of house music, disco, techno and nu-disco.
Hercules and Love Affair is the debut studio album by American electronic music band Hercules and Love Affair, released on March 10, 2008 by DFA Records. The album was produced by Andrew Butler and Tim Goldsworthy. Andrew Raposo and Tyler Pope contributed bass to the album, while Anohni co-wrote and performed vocals on select songs.
Jane Louise Weaver is an English singer, songwriter, and guitarist. She runs the label Bird Records, an offshoot of Twisted Nerve Records. Weaver has performed as part of the Britpop group Kill Laura, the folktronica project Misty Dixon, and as a solo artist. She was brought up in the town of Widnes, Cheshire.
Nomi Ruiz is an American singer, songwriter, actress, essayist, DJ and producer, who is also known for her work as Jessica 6.
"Blind" is the first single from the eponymous debut album by Hercules and Love Affair.
Blue Songs is the second studio album by American electronic music band Hercules and Love Affair, released on January 28, 2011 by Moshi Moshi Records. The album features guest appearances from Bloc Party's Kele Okereke on the song "Step Up," and also includes vocal contributions from Kim Ann Foxman, Aerea Negrot and Shaun Wright. The song "It's Alright" is a cover of the Pet Shop Boys' 1988 song of the same name, originally recorded and released by Sterling Void and Paris Brightledge in 1987.
The Feast of the Broken Heart is the third studio album by dance music group Hercules and Love Affair, released on May 26, 2014, by Moshi Moshi Records internationally and the following day in the United States by Big Beat Records and Atlantic Records.
Semicircle is the fifth studio album by English band The Go! Team. It was released on 19 January 2018 by Memphis Industries. Vocals on the album were provided by band members Ninja and Maki, with guest vocals from the Detroit Youth Choir, Julie Margat, Darenda Weaver, and Amber Arcades. Brass was provided by the Neon Saints Brass Band.
Blue Weekend is the third studio album by English rock band Wolf Alice, released on 4 June 2021 through Dirty Hit. Blue Weekend was preceded by four singles—"The Last Man on Earth", "Smile", "No Hard Feelings" and "How Can I Make It OK?". The album received acclaim from music critics, with many naming it the band's best work, and was shortlisted for the Mercury Prize in 2021.
Spirituals is the fourth studio album by American musician and singer Santigold. It was released digitally and physically on vinyl on September 9, 2022, through Little Jerk Records. The CD was out on September, 30.
"One" is the pièce de résistance of Hercules & Love Affair's In Amber. It's a doom-y kind of house music—forceful yet ethereal, done up with flighty woodwinds, a stomping drumbeat, and the insistent ringing of a triangle. Anohni's theatrical, commanding, and singular vocal articulates every syllable of the enigmatic yet evocative lyrics—"Mouth and volcano, one…feeding upon my own flesh"—whose confounding nature only teases us to return to the song over and over.
Budgie is such an amazing drummer – there's something so delicious about the Siouxsie catalogue and The Creatures' catalogue ...The Creatures were a band that I loved so much
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)there's still plenty of solace to be found in performances by Iceland's Elin Ey and the ever-remarkable Anohni.
It's heavy but utterly lovely music, full of grave strings, piano stabs and deep synth reverberations